Bitza

Well OldBob at least you ain't bitter. Sounds like an eventful meeting, pity I missed it completely. Hope the reviews tell the whole story. Who exactly is injured?

Maybe but Cairns and Rushen will do me.

Cairns/Rushen at the moment you can't really see who is the best rider, they alternate meeting to meeting. So who has the greater potential? Personally I prefer Cairns' riding style it looks more controlled. Rushen more wild me thinks. Having them both at Poole is great for the club, fans and probably the riders too. They will spur each other on, and at their age sudden improvements are likely. Re:- Bowes I would advocate keeping the faith, and do everything possible to make him feel welcome and supported. He needs nurturing imo.

I get that bit, and on balance it's probably the better format....... But it does mean that the majority riders then need to do a practice start/adjustment before the start of their first heat. Speedway has to be the only motor sport without practice/set up time.

As a Pirates supporter, I was expecting so much more from the Bears. The reserves were nowhere compared to the BSN final last year at Wimborne Road. 2-5 didn't turn up. Maybe Friday will be different?! But Klint was a great signing, untouchable tonight.

Well yes, Klint scoring half Redcars points tells you everything about how the rest of the Bears performed. Bowes should be given more credit, he is putting the effort in, but he's moves aren't coming off. I've seen him try a wide line around 1-2 a few times, but it ends up with the bike in knots. I think he needs help with the bike set up and or ridding style.

Should be a good night of speedway, looking forward to it.

Well it seems that somethings not quite right for him at the moment. So if he's physically fit, bikes ok, then confidence seems highly likely. Confidence is what let's riders go at 100% after all.

I tend to agree, good to hear that Fraser helped Lawson out the other day, when Richard's van broke down. It's a bit of team building, might help Bowes feel more like he fits in at Poole. These kinda things can be useful.

There's a whole lot of difference between a doctor signing you off as fit, and being confident enough to race effectively.

Rushen has been out scoring Scott, in King's Lynn meetings which might be an indicator of how things will go. Re Gilkes, seems like his injury has had a big impact on him both physically and confidence wise. Recovery could take a long time to get back to form. Bowes is the better bet imo, but he appears to need some form of help, mechanical or psychologically.

ONE POINT?

Well I'd go for Berwick in terms of making it to the final, but for the most entertaining racing Redcar.

Winner through with Berwick.

Congratulations Berwick looks like you are through to the BSN semis. Only question is Glasgow or maybe Edinburgh?

Congratulations Berwick looks like you are through to the BSN semis.

Workington bonus point win means Oxford out of the BSN.

Gilkes it is then.

Well if it's a revised 40 point declaration kind of a situation, Gilkes for Bowes isn't an option. By my calculations that team would add up to 42.57. Worth noting that Coopers GSA is now a staggering 5.6 and Cairns 4.13.

Sorry my ignorance, let's see how he goes next week.

Is Gilkes fit, not so sure myself.

My gut tells me Bowes could come good, but at the moment he's trying too hard, and over riding it. He needs to relax and ride instinctively, then the results would come. Might be in need of some form of support to give him some confidence. But time maybe running out? Also... I looked at the BSN tables and it struck me how crucial loosing the bonus point might prove to be for the Cheetahs. Surely one of the other second placed teams can score 5 points?!

I'd go for that option if I were a Ford.

That's a really inaccurate comment, but what you could pick up on when Cairnes came to the line for heat 14 was that he was 100% fired up for it. So no surprise he wanted to celebrate when he pulled it off, with a real gritty ride.

Well it's a must win match for the Pirates, but no pressure to get the bonus. Should be a competitive meeting, can't wait.